Player Notes

Jason Marquis limited the Cardinals to two runs -- one earned -- on three hits over six innings to improve to 6-2 on Monday.
Advice: Marquis has won each of his last five trips to the bump and has been one of baseball's best starters over that stretch. We aren't here to pimp Marquis, however, as he's benefited from smoke and mirrors and his home park perhaps more than any pitcher in the game. Marquis' 28 walks lead the National League. And that five-game winning streak? He posted a hideous 17/18 K/BB rate over 31 2/3 innings during that stretch. This house of cards is about to topple and you'd be wise to identify the sucker in your league to pay for Marquis' 6-2 record and 3.27 ERA before it does.

Bartolo Colon pitched the A's past the Rangers by allowing just two runs over seven innings on Monday.
Advice: Colon walked as many batters tonight (two) as he did in his first eight starts combined, but he had his best outing in a month anyway, winning for the first time since April 23. He's 4-2 with a 4.31 ERA overall.

Jeremy Guthrie took a second straight loss after allowing six runs in five innings Monday against the Astros.
Advice: Well, that's disappointing. Guthrie allowed seven homers in his first seven starts, going 5-0 with a 2.28 ERA. In his last two, he's allowed six homers, while also striking out just two batters and walking six. Not that Guthrie was ever likely to maintain an ERA in the low-2.00s, but he has picked a surprising time to come apart, facing the dregs of the AL West (it was the Angels last time out). Mixed leaguers may want to move on, if not now then after his home start against the Angels this weekend.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Friday that Kyle Gibson, P.J. Walters, or Sam Deduno will be called up to start Friday against the Tigers.
Advice: The Twins optioned left-hander Pedro Hernandez to Triple-A Rochester on Monday, which immediately led to speculation that Gibson could get the call. The 25-year-old right-hander has a 3.25 ERA and 46/14 K/BB ratio in 52 2/3 innings through eight starts this season in Triple-A. Even if the Twins opt for Walters or Deduno, it's just a matter of time before Gibson arrives.
More: Rhett Bollinger on Twitter

Rangers designated RHP Derek Lowe for assignment.
Advice: The move clears a spot for Monday's starter, Josh Lindblom. Lowe has struggled in a mop-up role this season, posting an ugly 9.00 ERA in 13 innings. The Rangers are paying him $1.25 million in 2013.

Danny Hultzen (shoulder) has begun playing catch.
Advice: Hultzen was shut down in late April with a left rotator cuff strain and general shoulder tendinitis. The Mariners are expected to take it very slowly with their prized pitching prospect. He had a cool 2.78 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 25/6 K/BB ratio through his first 22 2/3 innings (four starts) this season at Triple-A Tacoma and could reach the major leagues later this summer if he can get healthy.
More: Ryan Divish on Twitter

R.A. Dickey yielded three runs (two earned) in eight innings Monday in a 7-5 win over the Rays.
Advice: It was his longest outing of the season. Dickey limited the Rays to just four hits, but he issued four walks. Still, he was able to limit the damage. The knuckleballer has allowed two earned runs in each of his last three starts, lowering his ERA from 5.36 to 4.50 for the year. It doesn't appear that Dickey will match the dominance he displayed last year, but he has righted the ship somewhat.

Twins optioned LHP Pedro Hernandez to Triple-A Rochester.
Advice: Hernandez had a rough 5.85 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 17/10 K/BB ratio through his first 32 1/3 innings. The Twins will add a new piece to their starting rotation on Friday.